Ryan James commits to the Titans

Ryan James has knocked back interest from a number of NRL clubs before opting to sign a three-year contract extension that will keep him at Gold Coast until at least the end of 2020.

James was the Titans’ best in 2016, scoring 12 tries from the front row and topping 3000 running metres, attracting the attention of up to six other clubs.

And while the 25-year-old was loathe to discuss the amount of interest on his re-signing, he indicated he was prepared to make salary sacrifices in his bid to remain a Titan for life.

“I’d do anything to stay at this club,” he responded when asked if he had taken a pay cut to stay at the Titans.

“The club’s really looked after me for the last seven years and they will look after me for the next four years.

“For me to move to Sydney would have been a massive choice for the family and to take my one-year-old away from both his grandparents would have been hard for them.”

James made debuted in 2010 for the Titans, but was forced to wait until last year to play his first finals match.

In that time, the club went from drama to drama at the bottom of the ladder. Now, James insists he wants to be there for the good times on the horizon with the exciting young crop of players and recruits.

“To see this club being at the lowest of all lows, looking like it’s going to get revoked, to looking around now to seeing where we are,” he said.

“We’re starting to build towards a great-looking team … things are starting to shape up really well for this year.

James is one of only two players remaining from the 2010 season, making him one of the front-runners for the vacant 2017 captaincy spot.

It’s a role he claimed he would love, and coach Neil Henry on Tuesday suggested he had been waiting on James’ future to be secured before announcing the new leader.

“He’s filled in on that role last year and he’s right up there,” Henry said.

“He’s got a desire to lead the club and he’s one of the leadership group.

“He’s certainly put his hand up for that role and he’s certainly ready to be a real leader on the field.”

Henry also indicated the club could opt to select one of its younger halves as a co-captain if James was awarded the position, given he would spend part of the 80 minutes each week on the bench.

He also said he always believed the club would be able to secure his contract for the long term.

“A player of his quality and a 25-year-old front-rower, there’s always a fair bit of interest from other clubs,” Henry said.

“But to Ryan’s credit, he really didn’t field those offers. He wanted to strike a deal here and we got it done.”